Vertical stripes and patterns: Taking a cue from fashion, it is best to use vertical stripes instead of horizontal stripes, because vertical stripes create the illusion of height. And this rule doesn’t only apply to paint and wallpaper: A four-poster bed with tall, skinny posts can also draw the eye upward.

Avoid overhead lights: Skip fans and ceiling or overhead lights because they draw attention to the ceiling. If you do hang a chandelier or pendant, hang it slightly higher than you normally would.

High Art: Hang artwork slightly higher than you normally would. Hanging small frames above door openings and windows also tricks the eye into thinking the room has higher ceilings.

Ways To Make A Room Seem Taller

Declutter. Avoid cluttering rooms that have a low ceiling. Each item in the room will add to that feeling of being boxed in. Use inventive storage methods and keep your rooms tidy.

Feature walls. Orient your feature wall vertically. Don’t be afraid to do something daring in a space with a low ceiling. Just ensure that you don’t emphasize that low ceiling in the process.

Transoms. Transoms above doors and windows add a sense of height and allow more light in as well, which will make your space feel even more spacious.

Low furniture. By choosing low-profile furniture, you create the impression of higher ceilings. It’s especially important that furniture of the right scale be used for a space with lower ceilings. Low-slung backs on couches and chairs can produce dramatic effects.

Chandeliers. When hanging a chandelier on lower ceilings, try to choose a light fixture that you can see through and that isn’t too dense. Hang it at least 36 inches above your dining room table to create space between your table and the light fixture, making the ceiling feel farther away.

Tricks to Make a Ceiling Look Higher

Run paneling vertically. Like stripes, vertically oriented paneling reinforces height in a space.

Introduce a diagonal. Have you ever noticed how a staircase railing invites your eye to wander upward, giving lift to a room? A painted diagonal or a decor element that creates a diagonal line will offer the same effect.

Expose your structure. If it will give you more headroom, think about taking your ceiling to its bare bones. Basement renovations are great candidates for exposed structures. Some main-floor spaces in older homes have floating ceilings left over from a day when lower ceilings were desired. Remove these and your room will instantly feel taller.

Give your ceiling high gloss. This creates an illusion of endlessness. If a ceiling like the one here is too dramatic for your tastes, use a semigloss paint instead.

Include uplighting. Notice how the ceiling seems to float in this photo. Bouncing light off the ceiling creates visual height. Sconces, cove lighting and even affordable torchieres can deliver this effect. This is a great technique for basements.

How to Make Your Ceilings Look Higher

Exposed Beams

Adding a bit of garnishment to your ceiling naturally draws the eye upwards. And there’s no better way to do this than to expose the existing architecture in your space. If you happen to have a few architectural elements—like wood beams—then consider revealing them, for a dramatic heightening effect.

In addition to drawing the eye upward, one of the easiest ways to make your ceilings appear higher is to source low-profile furniture.

Hang Your Chandelier A Bit Higher

Chandeliers are a great way to tie a room together. But if hung too low, a chandelier can give your room a cramped, claustrophobic feeling. If you have an existing chandelier, or if your you’re planning to install one, hang your chandelier a few inches higher than standard practice. Like your curtains, a higher chandelier will naturally draw the eye upward.

Knock Down Some Walls

Short of literally raising the roof, knocking down extra walls is the most effective remodeling method for making your ceiling appear higher. This isn’t exactly a weekend DIY project, but it’ll make your space look more expansive.